When I traveled two months ago and four months ago, on several flights they asked for checking bags as a precaution. I refused if I had a choice and upon boarding found a lot of space in the open compartments. They closed several with extra space before takeoff.
On one flight, they prematurely insisted everyone in boarding sections 3, 4, and 5 had to check. Sure enough, there was more than enough open space in the compartments when we got on board and several passengers complained about the poor decision.
